Playground apparatus



March 26, 1963 B. M. BARENHOLTZ ETAL PLAYGROUND APPARATUS 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed May 6. 1960 I IllllllnllllI INVENTORS flint/4,90 4% fizz/Wan March 26, 1963 B. M. BARENHOLTZ ETAL 3,

PLAYGROUND APPARATUS Filed May 6, 1960 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 United States Patent 3,083,015 PLAYGROUND APPARATUS Bernard M. Barenholtz, 444 Rosedale Road, and Frank Capian, 292 Ridgeview Road, both of Princeton, NJ. Filed lVIay 6, 1960, Ser. No. 27,360 4 Claims. (Cl. 27256.5)

The present invention relates to playground apparatus and, more particularly, to an improved spiralchute or slide.

Heretofore, spiral chutes have been proposed but the construction thereof was such that they could not be readily transported after being put together and that they could not be put together at the location where they were to be used. These and other difficulties were not compensated for by the novelty of a spiral slide and hence spiral slides never became popular with playground operators.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a spiral slide which overcomes the prior difliculties and objections.

Another object is to provide such a slide which can be prefabricated in a number of relatively small parts adapted to be assembled at the location where the slide is to be used in a simple and convenient manner.

Another object is to provide such a slide which eliminates the necessity of a separate ladder for climbing to the top of the slide.

A further object is to provide such a slide which is light in weight, and is strong and durable and economical in construction.

Other and further objects will be obvious upon an understanding of the illustrative embodiment about to be described, or Will be indicated in the appended claims, and various advantages not referred to herein will occur to one skilled in the art upon employment of the invention in practice.

A preferred embodiment of the invention has been chosen for purposes of illustration and description and is shown in the accompanying drawing, forming a part of the specification, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a slide in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the slide, as viewed from the top thereof.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along the line 33 on FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along the line 44 on FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along the line 55 on FIG. 2.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, a slide is shown which generally comprises a central post 10, a concrete bed 11 cooperating with elements on the post for anchoring the same in a fixed position, a spiral chute 12 encircling the post, and radial members 14 connected to the post serving to support the chute and being so arranged that they also provide ladder structure.

The post comprises an inner cylindrical member, such as a pipe 15 provided with a lower section 16 anchored in the concrete bed 11 having a key 17 thereon adapted to be locked in the concrete, a sleeve 18 welded on the pipe 15 at the ground level of the bed 11, and a plurality of outer collars 19 surrounding the pipe and preferably being stacked to provide a substantially continuous outer shell which further strengthens the post.

Each of the collars 19 has the inner end of a member 14 secured thereto and has means thereon, such as a set screw 20, for securing the same to the inner pipe 15. A cap 13 is secured to the upper end of the pipe 15 to close the same.

3,683 ,015 Patented Mar. 26, 1963 Each member 14, as shown herein, has a horizontal section 21 adapted to serve as a rung of a ladder and, if desired, to provide for better footing, has a flat plate 22 secured to the upper surface of the section 21 adapted to serve as a tread (FIG. 4). The outer ends of the members 14 are bent upwardly to provide a vertical section 24 having an opening 25 therein. Preferably, the members 14 are constructed of pipe wherein the opening 25 is provided without further fabrication.

Preferably, there are a sufficient number of collars 19 and members 14 to enable the members 14 to be progressively spaced circumferentially and vertically sufiiciently close to each other to provide a spiral ladder for safe ascent to the top of the slide by small children.

In order to enable the members 14 to support the spiral slide, the outer ends thereof are provided with cradle means or brackets 26, such as a bow-shaped member 27 (FIG. 5) having a depending portion 28 fitted into an opening 25. Preferably, the depending portion 28 is a piece of pipe extending through the member 27 at the middle thereof to provide a recess 29 in the upper surface of the cradle means.

The spiral chute 12 may be constructed of any suitable material, such as Fiberglas or metal, Fiberglas being preferred because of its strength for Weight ratio and its durability to weathering; and may be constructed in one piece or in sections adapted to be joined together when the slide is assembled. In order to lock the chute 12 on the cradle means 26, a plurality of spaced projections 30 are provided on the underside of the chute and these projections are adapted to fit into the recesses 29. This recess and projection arrangement also serves as means for angularly positioning the collars 19 before fastening the set screws 20. I

Additional support for the chute may be provided by a pipe member 31 vertically anchored in the concrete bed 11 having an opening 32 at its upper end for receiving a stud 34 secured to the underside of the chute adjacent its lower end. In order to properly position the pipe member 31 in the bed with respect to the stud, a sleeve 35 is secured to the pipe 16 having the inner end of a horizontal member 36 secured thereto and the member 31 is secured to the outer end of the member 36 (FIG. 3).

Also, an inclined strut 37 may be provided which preferably is positioned diametrically opposite the pipe mem ber 31. This strut, as shown in FIG. 3, comprises a rod 38 secured to the sleeve 35, and a pipe 39 having the rod secured thereto at its lower end by a set screw 40 and having its upper end secured to one of the members 14- at 41.

At the upper end of the slide, a platform 42 is provided which comprises a generally triangular plate 44 cut away at one side to provide a triangular piece 45 to which the uppermost collar 19 is secured, and a guard railing 46 at two sides of the plate 44, whereby the platform is accessible from the spiral ladder at the piece 45 and the chute 12 is accessible from the side of the plate adjacent the piece 45.

From the foregoing description, it will be seen that the present invention provides an improved spiral slide which has many advantageous features and is readily prefabricated in parts and assemblies of parts which are adapted to be assembled with a minimum of effort. The slide is extremely sturdy and durable, but yet is light in weight, and is economical in construction.

As various changes may be made in the form, construction, and arrangement of the parts herein, without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention and without sacrificing any of its advantages, it is to be understood that all matters are to be interpreted as illustrative and not in any limiting sense. i

tal members extending radially outwardly from said post each having one end secured to said postand having the other end arranged to support the chute on said post, said members being spaced progressively circumferentially and vertically sufficiently close toeach other to provide a spiral ladder extending from the lower end of the chute to the upper end of the chute, and cradle means at the outer ends of said members for receiving said chute to support the same, said cradle means having a recess in the upper surface thereof and the underside of said chute having projections adapted to extend into said recesses.

2, Playground apparatus comprising a central post adapted to be anchored in a fixed position, a spiral chute encircling said post, a plurality of substantially horizontal members extending radially outwardly from said post each having one end secured to said post and having the other end arranged to support the chute on said post, said members being spaced progressively circumferenti'ally and vertically sufliciently close to each other to provide a spiral ladder extending from the lower end of the chute to the upper end of the chute, and a platform on said post at the upper end of said chute, said platform including a generally triangular plate secured at one corner to said post.

3. Apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said plate has a cut away portion adjacent said corner to facilitate access to the platform from the ladder and the side of the plate adjacent the cut away portion faces the upper end of said chute.

4. Apparatus according to claim 3, wherein a guard rail is at the other two. sides of said plate.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 506,238 Kirker -Oct. 10, 1893 803,119 Logan Oct. 31, 1905 1,192,445 Medart July 25, 1916 1,347,968 ODoie July 27, 1920 

1. PLAYGROUND APPARATUS COMPRISING A CENTRAL POST ADAPTED TO BE ANCHORED IN A FIXED POSITION, A SPIRAL CHUTE ENCIRCLING SAID POST, A PLURALITY OF SUBSTANTIALLY HORIZONTAL MEMBERS EXTENDING RADIALLY OUTWARDLY FROM SAID POST EACH HAVING ONE END SECURED TO SAID POST AND HAVING THE OTHER END ARRANGED TO SUPPORT THE CHUTE ON SAID POST, SAID MEMBERS BEING SPACED PROGRESSIVELY CIRCUMFERENTIALLY AND VERTICALLY SUFFICIENTLY CLOSE TO EACH OTHER TO PROVIDE A SPIRAL LADDER EXTENDING FROM THE LOWER END OF THE CHUTE TO THE UPPER END OF THE CHUTE, AND CRADLE MEANS AT THE OUTER ENDS OF SAID MEMBERS FOR RECEIVING SAID CHUTE TO SUPPORT THE SAME, SAID CRADLE MEANS HAVING A RECESS IN 